Widows Creek Spill/Leak/Rupture Part2 Ash spill not contained.

All photos this page by G. Morgan

Update: Saturday, Jan. 10, 2009. Photomicrograph of Cenospheres from the Bellefonte Landing Sample. Inspection of Public Access Areas further down river reveals a light covering of the ash waste on the north shoreline at mile marker 383, Sportsman's Club boat ramp, and mile marker 378, Goose Pond Colony point. The real problems are the dissolved hazardous waste substances involved in this spill, what you can't see is the danger. The cenospheres serve as a marker indicating the extent of the ash sludge movement.
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Update: Widows Creek Photos: Sunday, Jan 11, 2008 Link to photo's posted by "Creekkeeper," many thanks to you for this link. http://s291.photobucket.com/albums/ll297/creekkeeper_2008/Widow%20Creek%20Ash%20Spill/ The extent of the spill is evident in the aerial photos. It is also evident that the extent of the hazardous waste sludge and ash release is greater than what the TVA has stated. Aerial photos reveal a large subsurface sludge mass progressing downstream. Is ash still spilling into the river? It appears there are other suspicious dark areas in the ash pits, the spill is not contained and is spilling into the river at the time of the photos.
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Content of Coal Ash, EPA Link, http://www.epa.gov/rpdweb00/tenorm/coalandcoalash.html note that coal ash is radioactive. The real question, how much sludge and ash were spilled into Widows Creek and the Tennessee River? Gypsum was not the only waste product released in this spill. Gypsum in the scrubbers catch the real nasty pollutants from the combustion process.

Article from the Tenneessean: http://www.tennessean.com/article/20090110/GREEN02/901100348

In areas where the river slows in small coves or inlets the ashen sludge varies from light to heavy. The floating gray-ash color substances are cenospheres, they are a byproduct of coal combustion at power plants. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cenosphere

The water out from the shoreline for about 4ft is affected. The water sub-surface has an ashen hue for approximately 10ft beyond the shore.

In this area the water sub-surface has tints of gray for 12-15 ft out from the shore. Mr. Moulton of the TVA says it isn't ash or gypsum, see the Tennessean article below, I say he is wrong and that he is being intentionally deceitful. What does he think it is, TVA lies spilling out of Knoxville?

Sample of Water taken at Bellefonte Landing, approximately 1/2 mile downstream from the cooling water intake of the proposed Bellefonte Nuclear Power Plant. The particles appear to be spherical, silvery ash like. They are cenospheres.

A heavy silvery sludge coats the north shoreline of the Tennessee River at Bellefonte Landing. Bellefonte Landing is approximately 17 miles down river from Widows Creek Steam Plant. (Widows Creek mile marker is 407, Bellefonte is 390)

The TVA has reported the spill is contained, not true as evidenced by these photos. The north shore of the river is coated with the silvery, ashen sludge for several miles down stream.

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Update: TVA official denies substance in photos is part of a spill from Widows Creek. http://www.tennessean.com/article/20090109/GREEN02/90109016 Apparently John Moulton of the TVA has made statements which are part of the ever growing deceit of the TVA. Here are the pictures, I have the sample, Mr. Moulton may certainly drive to the site as can anyone else. How can Mr. Moulton say it isn't part of the spill when he hasn't examined the sludge on the north shoreline? Does he know something else is leaking from the TVA or some other polluting source, it appears he is speaking without knowing the facts or without examining the downstream substance?

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Mr. Moulton is TVA's PR rep in Knoxville, from TVA 's site: Media Contact John Moulton, Knoxville, (865) 632-8048 TVA News Bureau, Knoxville, (865) 632-6000

Widows Creek Spill/Leak/Rupture

(Knoxville News Sentinel photo) fair use rights for not for profit news reporting

Today a rupture/ leak/spill occured at the Widows Creek Plant. Map link: The Tennessean's Report: http://www.tennessean.com/article/20090109/GREEN02/90109016

http://www.mapquest.com/maps?city=Widows+Creek+Station&state=AL#a/maps/l:::Widows+Creek+Station:AL::US:34.9258:-85.760597:city:Jackson+County:1/m:hyb:8:34.926829:-85.760596:0:::::/io:0:::::f:EN:M:/e

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http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2009/01/09/second-tva-dam-breaks-at_n_156605.html

http://blog.al.com/breaking/2009/01/tva_investigating_leak_at_wido.html, http://www.tva.gov/ Local TV news out of Huntsville reports TVA has notified federal, state and local authorities. Reports indicate the "spill" has involved Widows Creek and the Tennessee River.

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No controls exist in Alabama or the TVA concerning these holding ponds, no liners are required for these holding ponds, no monitoring occurs of ground water surrounding these holding ponds. Apparently faulty engineering is a problem.

Interesting Truths? (in video format)

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JPlvdSQ6cAM&feature=related

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http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AzlTjhGxr7Y&feature=related

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http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3tg8suvwS3o&feature=PlayList&p=6D953C125F20659D&index=4

TVA, Business before Safety, Widows Creek Danger, Criminal Complaint Filed.

Is this who you want to operate a Nuclear Power Plant? Criminal Negligence lies, deceit are the actions of TVA Officials which has resulted in the largest environmental disaster since Love Canal. I do not believe the TVA can be trusted to operate Nuclear Power Plants under current management. They have violated the Public Trust.

(Knoxville News Sentinel photo) fair use rights for not for profit news reporting

Disaster from a collapsed Ash Pond Dam at Kingston's Fossils Fuel Power Plant. Millions of pounds of lead, mercury and arsenic were released into the waters as a result of negligent actions. A massive fish kill and destruction of property was the result. (Knoxville News Sentinel photo)

(Knoxville News Sentinel photo) fair use rights for not for profit news reporting

TVA's Widows Creek, fines issued, leaks of hazardous waste, requests for criminal prosecution by Federal Investigators of TVA Officials go unheeded. Is Widows Creek another disaster waiting to happen?
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Apparently Ash Pond dam collapses are getting to be a regular occurrence for the TVA as this AP Wire report indicates and filed with the Demoine Iowa Register. "Larry Preece's property near Inez, Ky., was swamped with coal ash sludge eight years ago in a similar spill of more than 300 million gallons. He has some advice for Swan Pond residents: "Be prepared for a long ordeal."

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Despite a cleanup and the passing of years, Preece said he still worries about contamination. Traces of arsenic, mercury and other contaminants were found in the Kentucky sludge, according to the Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry, based at the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention in Atlanta." The full story: http://hosted.ap.org/dynamic/stories/F/FLOODED_NEIGHBORHOOD_FUTURE?SITE=IADES&SECTION=HOME&TEMPLATE=DEFAULT

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The TVA IG, Inspector General, has issued a scathing report concerning the TVA stating, "TVA has placed business operations ahead of ethics and compliance issues. ....TVA has emphasis on cost-cutting , on running the plants without any downtime." Widows Creek is leaking, the IG and the EPA's Criminal Investigation Division filed a complaint with the Department of Justice, DOJ. Alabama's Department of Enviromental Management issued a citation and $100K fine. The Bush Administration's DOJ has refused to take action although the leaks in Widows Creek are a result of criminally negligent actions. This report from the Knoxville News Sentinel, http://www.knoxnews.com/news/2009/jan/04/report-raises-questions-of-ethics/ .

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TVA, through it's negligent and criminal actions, has failed to fulfill its requirement of environmental stewardship of the Tennessee River Valley Watershed as required by law. More evidence of broken government and failing to hold TVA executives accountable for negligent criminal actions. How can we trust an agency to operate a Nuclear Power Plant with such a dismal, non-accountable record of actions.

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The Widows Creek Steam Plant is approximately 20 miles up stream from Scottsboro's water supply.

Scottsboro City Council Work Session

Concerning the City Council Report I usually refrain from personal comment until after the report. The issue of Aquatic Weed Control in Guntersville Lake calls for an exception to my rule.
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Some have a myopic view of aquatic flora on Guntersville Lake, such as the picture above demonstrates. "Kill all aquatic weeds" is the demand from Retired Judge Wallace Haralson, speaking concerning the formation of a not-for profit organization, Roseberry Rescue Group, for the abolishment of aquatic weeds in Roseberry and Dry Creek area of Guntersville Reservoir in Scottsboro. He stated there were 161 citizens signed up to support the elimination of aquatic weeds in the area. Judge Haralson requested the City of Scottsboro contribute to the removal of 1500+ acres of aquatic growth in the above mentioned creeks, a contribution of $90,000.
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The above "myopic sea of green" is a summer picture at the mouth of North Sauty Creek at Goose Pond Colony. Will the City of Scottsboro finance the control the aquatic weeds in other areas? Or, will they only control Roseberry aquatic weeds. Aquatic flora is necessary for diverse aquatic life. Eliminate the "weeds" you eliminate the fishery for the area. However, if foreign aquatic weeds, such as the milfoil and hydrilla, become the predominent aquatic flora it results in the elimination of native aquatic flora. The TVA has stated they will maintain channels and public access areas free from aquatic weeds. Lakeside Boat Dock owners are up in arms about the "weed" situation around their private boat docks. The TVA has recently stated they will stop clearing aquatic weeds around private boat docks. Boat dock owners should maintain areas around their docks at their own expense. Those same owners have no business poisoning the aquatic growth in large areas of Guntersville Lake.
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I do not believe my city tax money should be used for the destruction of the fishery in Roseberry and Dry Creek. Judge Haralson promised that the influential lake owners would be very appreciative of the City Council's efforts to give money for killing the weeds around their boat docks.
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This link concerning the use of Fluridone is provided. http://www.ecy.wa.gov/programs/wq/plants/management/FluridoneStrategies.html Note that the "weeds" will return but in the mean time the milfoil and hydrilla will be replaced by abundant green algae "slime" and the fish will travel to where there is cover.
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This info is provided by the manufactorers of Fluridone: "Fluridone can only be used in very still water like the back end of coves and creeks, because — to be effective — it must remain in contact with the plant for a prolonged period. In addition, when Fluridone is used, the entire volume of water – shoreline to shoreline, surface to bottom – must be treated. Obviously, for this reason, Fluridone is not suitable for use along the shoreline of the main lake, or any body of water with significant current flow. ...A permit called a National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System Permit (NPDES) permit is needed to treat water bodies with aquatic herbicides."
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The bigger problem. Elimination of the Hydrilla on Guntersville Lake is a grand problem, not only for the lakeside home owners and the City of Scottsboro but all the various government agencies involved in the Guntersville Lake ecosystem. A workable plan involving ADEM, Citizens, TVA, local government and professional biologists is required to resolve this problem. Hydrilla link: http://www.lakeouachita.org/hydrilla-impact-on-lake-ouachita.htm and http://www.anstaskforce.gov/spoc/hydrilla.php Half baked ideas, exagerations and independent, possible illegal action, is not the answer. A reasonable scientific approach to this large scale ecological problem executed by a leader is the answer. Are there any reasonable leaders out there interested in reaching a solution to the hydrilla problem?

In other business, Mayor Potter discussed changes to the First Monday Ordinance, fees will be eliminated begining in October 2009.
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Police Chief Dawe reported that the new Justice Center is 97% complete.

Sagetown Collectors Gallery and A Famous French Clock

Good friend and Sagetown owner Creig Moore holding a Nader for President Sign. Creig says he has been collecting and trading pocket knives since he was knee high to grass hopper.

A Very Rare, Bronze, Gold Guild French Clock, appraised for $25,000 at the Antique Roadshow. The clock runs great and chimes on the hour and half hour. Creig says he'll consider reasonable offers on the clock over $10K. Associated Press story below.

Historical letters and manuscripts, U.S. and Confederate General Joe Wheeler collectibles.

One of a kind Russell Knife Collection, a must see if you like rare antique cutlery.

Stop by and visit, open Wednesday thru Saturday.

Rare Asian Maijyao Culture large jars, 5000 BC, Ming Dynasty pottery, Jade and other Oriental curiosities.

More of the World Class Russell knife collection, probably the largest in the nation if not world wide.

Antique furniture and Annie Oakley's holster set, Gone With the Wind movie memorabilia.

Visit Sagetown's Tac Shop. Custom saddles by Moore Custom Saddles, Creigs Dad, Quinon, is a custom saddle maker; antique cavalry saddles, bridles, hats and other riding supplies are available.

Civil War curiosities and art, pre-Columbian relics and other legally collected artifacts may be found.

Antique Pocket Knives, swords, custom knives by Alabama Blade-smiths, coins, military memorabilia and a World Class Western Art Collection featuring Robert Learned Hand (deceased) Great Grandson of Quanah Parker.

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From the Associated Press Report: " Also in Chattanooga, one top-dollar collectible picked for appraisal was Creig Moore's French Louis XV-style clock from around 1850. It appraised for $20,000 to $25,000.

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Moore, who owns Sagetown Collectors Gallery in Scottsboro, Ala., said he was shocked that the appraisal was twice what he thought was the value.
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A longtime collector and antique dealer, Moore said he had bought the brass with gold overlay clock about six months earlier from a buddy in Birmingham, without even knowing if it works.
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"I had gone to his house and saw it in his garage in a huge basket," Moore said. "He said, 'That's an old clock I picked up in New Orleans about 10 years ago...I'll sell it to you."'
Moore, 45, said the clock "ran perfectly" when he got it home and he thought it was worth about $10,000.
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"Once they looked at the clock, they didn't tell me anything about it except to ask if they could put it on the show," Moore said.
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Moore said the appraiser told him it was the "best made clock of that era he had ever seen."
He is still trying to sell it.

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"I call it my lucky garage sale find because it was in his garage," Moore said.
Moore watches the program regularly and is looking forward to the airing of the Chattanooga shows, which is the first time he'll know if he made the final cut.
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"I'll definitely be watching," Moore said.
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Sagetown Collectors Gallery at 108 South Broad Street in Scottsboro has historical antiquities and curiosities from "all corners of the globe." One local item has garnered national attention at the recent Antique Road Show held in Chattanooga Tennessee. News article on the event:

http://www.thedailytimes.com/article/20090103/NEWS/301039987 Sagetown site: http://www.freewebs.com/sagetown/

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If you haven't seen Sagetown stop by and visit Creig and his dad Quinon. It is a one of a kind curios store in Beautiful Historic Downtown Scottsboro, Alabama.